GENEVA - March 5, 2009: The essence of the Infiniti brand distilled into
one car and then taken to the extremes to satisfy the world’s most
demanding car enthusiasts – this is the Infiniti Essence. Presented
as a concept at the 79th International Motor Show of Geneva, Essence is a
celebration of Infiniti and its 20 years history as a creator of
performance cars. But equally it is an inspiring exploration into the
brand’s future. The dramatic design, technology and performance
statement is a 592-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive gasoline/electric hybrid
coupe.

The Essence Concept showcases many of the technologies, including
hybrid, and design cues that will distinguish Infiniti production cars of
the coming years. And, by steering Infiniti’s guiding principle of
“Inspired Performance” into the luxury super-coupe market for
the first time, it reaffirms Infiniti’s place among the world’s
most exclusive and vibrant car brands.

Essence Exterior Design: “Dynamic Adeyaka”
With breathtaking good looks and perfect proportions, Essence exerts a powerful pull on all
those who love cars. It looks like a driver’s car, one that would be
right at home on the world’s grandest motoring routes, yet Essence is
not an aggressive sports car.

Infiniti’s “Dynamic Adeyaka” attitude ensures Essence
is single-minded, but also inviting, sophisticated and born of inspiration
from both the human and natural worlds. To further boost its emotional
appeal, it features details that bring a very modern take to some very old
Japanese traditions. The designers’ aim was to merge all existing
Infiniti design cues with fresh design language in a shape that the
20-year-old marque has never before attempted. The result is highly
sculptural yet also very delicate. Essence speaks of power but not
intimidation.

The hood, as expected of an Infiniti, is long and the rear deck short.
Together with a flowing “wave” profile between muscular front
and rear wheel arches, Essence at first appears to be in the classic sports
car mold – but there is nothing retro about Essence. The side window
graphics bring a particularly innovative and distinctive edge to the
styling. The window appears to be resting on a ledge, its razor sharp line
in contrast to the concave sweep of the upper body just below it. The rear
section also features complex surfacing with concave “scoops”
that flow down the rear pillars from one of Essence’s most
distinctive design cues: a C-shaped kink to the side windows’
trailing edge. Outlined by a wide flourish of stainless steel, it adds
instant movement to the car even when it is standing still.

One of the most distinctive details is the trim around the side air
vents. The simple yet delicate shape, finely finished in aluminium, is
based on the “kanzash,” a hairpin used by women when wearing
the kimono. Other lines and details are inspired by the wide brush strokes
of Japanese calligraphy. Essence represents a successful merging of iconic
cultural cues with automotive aesthetics.

Essence’s front is characterised by Infiniti’s signature
double-arch grille, set at an angle that suggests the car is about to leap
forward. There is an illuminated Infiniti badge at its heart. Rounded
corners effectively hide the front overhang and make this 185-inch-long car
(15.4 feet) appear anything but big in the flesh.

At the front, as over the rest of the car, Essence eschews superfluous
body embellishments that could interrupt the graceful strength of the
whole. The grille is framed by subtle strips of stainless steel but
there’s little other trim and no other grilles or intakes, not even
fog lights. The door handles are slivers of push buttons flush with the
body, while even the rearview mirrors must make way for minuscule cameras
teased out of the A-pillars. More familiar Infiniti cues include the
lights. At the front, the signature L-shaped modules taper back on to the
bulging guards, picked out at their top edge by a row of LEDs. Slender
fillets of red light curve around the car at the back, overlapping with the
trunk opening and framing the spoiler, which appears to have been pushed
out from within the car.

Essence Interior Design: Driver-Focused

A driver’s car demands the
perfect driver’s cabin. Essence’s interior is minimalist,
ergonomic and totally focused on giving the driver a feeling of absolute
control – while the passenger area is dominated by comfort, calm and
elegance to offer the kind of hospitality that is so important to Essence.
The asymmetrical cabin is divided into two areas separated by a large
curving console between the seats that sweeps around to merge with the
center of the dashboard. The driver’s side is themed black, the
passenger’s “cocoon” an earthy red.

A flat-bottomed steering wheel, chronometer-style dials, bright red
engine start button, and short, alloy-topped gear selector announce to the
driver this is a serious performance machine. Other interior features
include larger gear change paddle shifters behind the wheel and a signature
Infiniti analog clock. With the materials used – leather, Alcantara,
hand-painted wood inspired by traditional Japanese lacquerware – the
cabin exudes a rich and inviting warmth. Essence’s interior promotes
a sense of well being which is key to the Infiniti driving experience.